When I first got my '06 MINI S, I noticed that the red zone of the tachometer lights up when the car is running. The other day I realized that not all the hash marks in the red zone light up, just the last six from just under 7000rpm and above. I've attached a pic of my tach showing how what part lights up in red.

It looks like the marks from 5500 and up could ALL light up.

So I looked around and was shocked to find the below link that shows a tach exactly like mine, (I have the Chono package), except there are THREE more marks lit up! Not ALL are lit up, the ones around 5500 to under 6000 are still dark, but more are lit up than on mine.
http://buyersguide.roadandtrack.com/...st0320_062.jpg

So what's the deal? I don't think it's a case of blown out light bulbs, since I think the MINI dash illumination uses LEDs for areas like this.

Are the Tachometer red zone lights different based on the model? For example MINI S versus non-S? JCW versus MINI S? Is the redline different in different models or years or in California/UK versus other areas based on emissions controls??

Anybody have ALL hash marks illuminated on their first Gen MINI S from 5500 on up?

Hey! I just reread my own post, and looking at the pictures realized something: My MINI is a 6-speed, and the link is to a MINI with automatic trans, (you can see P for Park displayed in the Speedometer). So I think the answer is that manual versus auto trans have different redlines, and the tach display illumination is dynamic!

 

Yes. The lower redline hash marks are primarily for diesel engines not available here.

 

Yes, redlines vary based on model. The primary differences are between the S and non-S models, as well as supercharged S vs. turbocharged S. In other words, all supercharged S models should be the same; all turbocharged models should be the same; all non-S models should be the same. Factors that determine the redline include bearing clearances, piston/rod/crank materials, and camshaft/spring design.

 

I have 1 or 2 red marks that do not lite up, and when I had the tach changed to blue LEDs, he asked if i wanted those added which I did not. I dont even notice it at this point

 

There are, IIRC, some BMW models that have an adaptive redline - lower when the engine's cold, and goes up when the engine warms.

Alas, ours isn't that.